Conversations with Juliette Lin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Juliette Lin.

Hi Juliette, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
“I was always someone who played small and was afraid to take risks. I focused on school, graduated top of my class, and went to USC to study business and land a high-paying job. Then, in my twenties, I finally realized I needed to carve my own path and be open to different experiences. So in December of 2019, I decided to quit my full time job and set out to explore my creative interests. My father cautioned me by saying, “The best time to get a new job is when you’re at your current job.” But I knew that this fear-based mindset is what had been preventing me from growing. So I saved up over a year of living expenses and took my first leap of faith.

I made YouTube videos and started an interview podcast called “The Remarkable Leap.” It felt inspiring hearing people talk about the radical changes they made in their lives and how it led to greater happiness.

Then, in March of 2020, the whole world shifted as were forced into lockdown during the global pandemic. And in August of 2020, I was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. I had to accept that no matter how much I planned, I couldn’t account for every outcome in my lives – so I might as well take more risks. And as it turns out, the hardest and scariest decision I had made up until this point (quitting my job with no backup plan) ended up saving my life, by giving me the time and awareness to pay attention to my body.

When I entered remission in January of 2021, I was determined to explore my creativity even further. I took virtual classes in storytelling, songwriting, comedic improvisation, creative writing, stand-up comedy, sketch writing, and acting. I fell in love with acting almost immediately and decided to pursue it full force. Within 2 months of acting, I landed a leading role in the sci-fi play “Vice” which premiered at The Hollywood Fringe Festival. And after 3.5 weeks of rehearsal, we had achieved five incredible performances. I was proud of myself for finally taking a chance on myself. The validation came in the form of a nomination for Best Drama & Best Tech Innovation, as well as an Encore! Producer’s Award. I saw how much my mindset had shifted from when I first quit my job and was still timid and shy about pursuing my interests, to submitting to every casting call and landing the a lead role in a play.

Today, I am excited to continue growing as an actor and as a human being.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been difficult to find balance in my life and feel connected to my body, especially after going through several rounds of chemotherapy and surgery. During my five-month treatment period, I agonized over not being “productive” because I was so used to pushing myself to the extremes. When I finally entered remission, I felt this urgency to get back into the world and keep barreling onwards through life. However, I was met with the reality of my new physical, mental, and emotional condition. Most days, I had very little energy and could only accomplish a couple of tasks at a time. I was angry at my body, but mostly at myself, for not pushing through. It took me some time to acknowledge that my illness was not my fault and that I had to let my body rest in order to recover. I also had to accept that I may never get back to the strength that I once had.

While I still find myself pouring 60+ hours a week into acting, I have been making a conscious effort to find more balance between working and healing. I’ve been slowly removing things from my calendar that no longer fulfill me and have also been taking care of my body by getting acupuncture, cupping, going on daily walks, and eating foods that will help restore my qi.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am grateful to have found acting, as it combines all of the things I love – connecting with others, collaborating, and building empathy. As I continue on this journey, I’m excited to tell stories of underrepresented communities, especially Asian women, and foster love, understanding, and connection.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Always make sure your mental, physical, emotional, and financial health comes first. Even if you haven’t gone through cancer or a life-changing illness, you still deserve to rest! Talk to your boss about taking time off or carve out a plan for yourself to truly take a break and allow your body to heal and recover. You need to be healthy before you can truly grow and flourish!

Also – surround yourself with people who believe in you and are at various levels of pursuing the same dream that you have. Seeing other people are doing the things you want to achieve and building community with others make it seem more possible for you – and inspire you to keep pushing forward.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: juliettelin.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/juliettetlin
• Twitter: twitter.com/juliettetlin
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/1qg8aoiWVKXYcPXDye817f

Image Credits
Amy Ma, Sean Kara